What to Look For When Choosing a Dentist

Questions to Help You Decide

Here are some questions to help you choose a dental professional for your family. Some answers can be found in our ChooseYourDentist.com dentist profiles. After you've narrowed the choices in your area to a few options, you can contact each dental professional directly for answers to your final concerns.

1. Who will see the dentist?

If you've got young children, you may need a family dentist or a dentist who specializes in treating young children. If you're older you might need to choose a dentist who offers bridges or dentures. If you don't know about the types of dentists, we've provided a handy explanation of each specialty on our website.

2. Why are you seeing a dentist?

If you're concerned about your family's oral health, you might choose a general dentist. If you're concerned about the way your smile looks or if your teeth are stained, you could choose a cosmetic dentist. If you're in pain because of gum disease, you may need to see an endodontist or an oral surgeon.

3. What location is convenient for you?

Think about when you might schedule dental visits. Will you go to appointments in the morning from home or after work? Will you take your children to the dentist during school hours or after school? This can help narrow down the geographic possibilities for choosing a dental practice.

4. Information to know about the dental office:

How long has the dentist been practicing?

What type of education and certifications does the dentist have?

What type of equipment does the practice have?

What type of procedures do they perform?

How do they educate patients about oral health?

What are their hours?

How do they handle emergency situations?

What insurances do they accept?

What are their fees?

What is their privacy policy?

5. Who recommends their practice?

The best source of information is somebody who knows about the practice. Does the dentist have testimonials from satisfied patients? Do you have family, friends or neighbors who are patients?

Before your final decision you should visit your top three dental office choices. Take a look around, meet the staff, and spend some time with the dentist. Ask about any special needs you have, such as wheelchair accessibility. We can help find the information you need to make an informed choice because ChooseYourDentist.com is "where patients and dentists connect"